Speaking to the Sunday Times, Nigel Hunt highlighted the severity of the current situation, explaining: "We are reaching crisis point in terms of the number of children needing to go into the dental hospitals for full-blown general anaesthetics for extraction."
With numerous hospitals extending opening hours in an effort to perform operations on children suffering from tooth decay, Mr. Hunt insist that the use of stark imagery on packaging is vital if the problem is to be properly addressed.
Commenting on the approach which would echo government health warnings on cigarette packaging, he said: "Pictures always have a greater impact."
While adamant the introduction of these images would improve dental hygiene in the vast majority of cases, Mr. Hunt also believes the photos will highlight the detrimental effect sugar can have on a child's general wellbeing.
"In the same way as we have with smoking, that smoking can cause lung cancer and so on, we should be saying high levels of sugar will lead to not only poor oral health and decay but the impact on general health," he said.
Figures suggest the issue needs immediate attention, with Mr, Hunt asserting: "Almost 26,000 general anaesthetics are being given to five to nine-year-old children every year to have teeth out now. We are talking frightening figures and the services just can't cope."
Commenting on the frightening statistics, the Department of Health insists improvements have been seen in recent years, but acknowledges further action is needed.
Speaking out on the issue, a spokesperson for the department said: "We have asked for expert advice about the amount of sugar we should be eating, which will be published soon, and this will be taken into account as we continue to work on our childhood obesity strategy."
Urging parents to utilise the facilities available to their children, the spokesperson finished by saying: "NHS dentistry is free for children and we strongly recommend parents take children for regular check-ups."
